Lakshmi Manchu on the Hema Commission report: Initially, I also lost my job because I was mean to people who tried to seduce me

The Justice Hema Committee report has highlighted the extreme discrimination and sexual exploitation that women face while working in Malayalam cinema. Actor Lakshmi Manchu has responded by saying that it is a bad world for women and hopes that all the conversations will pave the way for change and set things right. Read also: Sexual Harassment in Malayalam Film Industry: 6 Shocking Findings of Hema Committee

About the report

Lakshmi did not know the full details of the Hema Commission report, but that did not stop her from reacting strongly to the developments surrounding it and calling for equality for women. And the first step is to speak out against the unfair.

“Let me tell you something, life is not fair for women, not just in the film industry… How do we change that? Stand up for yourself. I have been run over, but I have maintained my stand. I may lose a few (things), but I know I am winning for the person who comes after me,” Lakshmi tells us, adding, “I am standing up for thousands of women who have been burnt for having a voice. If they said, ‘I will not say anything,’ I would not be here today.”

The actress, who recently made her Malayalam debut with Mohanlal in Monster, believes that “we all have a voice and every voice matters”.

“The whole MeToo movement started when one woman decided she had had enough… One voice rose to millions and gave voice and sound to millions and they could come out and speak for themselves. That is the power of standing up,” says the daughter of veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu.

About her experience in the Malayalam industry

When it comes to her own experience of working in the Malayalam industry, things were different. That was because of her origins.

“It was different for me because I was working with a good friend of my father. They have immense respect for my old man in Malayalam and in all languages,” says the mother of one.

But she doesn’t deny that there are sexual advances in the industry, as Lakshmi notes: “There will be people who will hit on you and think you don’t want to talk about it. You have to learn artistic ways to say no.”

She herself has had to deal with unwanted advances. Looking back, the actor says, “In the beginning, when people would hit on me, I would be really mean to them, and then I would lose the whole chance of work or that job. So, how do you maneuver that?”

“Now I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I’m so touched and honored that you actually find me attractive. But I’m a married woman and I’m very committed.’ If it goes beyond that, you can’t let anyone walk all over you,” the actor adds.

Lakshmi, known for projects such as Basmati Blues (2017) and Kaatrin Mozhi (2018), emphasizes: “The world out there is a nasty place”.

“That’s because we’re not properly educated about sex. We don’t know how to manage our hormones. So we just project. Men need to learn how to keep it in their pants,” she emphasizes.

About the Kolkata rape and murder case

The actress, who has acted in both Telugu and English films, also expressed her horror over the Kolkata rape and murder case.

“What happened in Kolkata is really shocking… Where is the law now in this regard?” she asks.

Lakshmi condemns the incident and asks herself, “What is the matter that she shouldn’t have been there and she shouldn’t have done that?”

“My blood is boiling. What about raping a three-year-old baby? It is insane and horrible to read about such cases. Most of my friends in the US are afraid to come to India because they are afraid of being raped. The narrative about India to the world is disgusting when it comes to women’s safety,” she alleged, calling for stricter punishment for the perpetrator.

She notes, “My daughter knew what good and bad touch was before she could even say sentences. It’s not about raising a good daughter, it’s about raising a good son.”

For the unversed, a post-graduate medical student was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. The family alleges that the victim was raped and murdered. In a strong show of support, doctors and celebrities across the country continue to protest and demand justice for the victim.

About the Hema Commission report

The Hema Committee report, focused on the Malayalam film industry, has sparked conversations about workplace ethics in the entertainment world. The report, which was launched to investigate and address the widespread issues of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry, was released on Monday.

The much-awaited report highlights the issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry and includes shocking accounts of harassment, exploitation and abuse faced by women.

The report said that female actors faced harassment, including cases of drunken individuals in the film industry knocking on their room doors. Many women said they were reluctant to complain out of fear. The report also noted a lack of basic amenities such as toilets for women, adding that young artistes are “treated worse than slaves in Malayalam cinema”.